FIX: Windows 10 Update Error 0x80004005

There have been many people reporting that they receive Windows 10 Update Error 0x80004005 when they attempt to update Windows 10. I had this problem as well, the problem disappeared for me after executing these steps. We hope this article shows you how to solve error 0x80004005

Step 1: Run the Automatic Troubleshooter

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and then type Troubleshooting (or open Start and type Troubleshooting)

2. Then click View All in the left pane

3. Find and click or tap on Windows update

4. Click on Advanced and check Apply repairs automatically and Run as Administrator

5. Then click on Next and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting.

Once you’ve done this, and the troubleshooting process has completed check if you can run Windows Updates once again. If not continue to step 2.

Step 2: Clean boot your device

This step should really never be skipped, a very common reason for update problems, which also applies to 0x80004005, is that you have a service or program running that is causing problems with the Windows Update services or components of it and therefore causing 0x80004005. This can be diagnosed by clean booting your device and then try if updates are now successfully applying.

1. Right-click the Windows Logo in the bottom left corner of your screen.

Or press the Windows + R key at the same time, and skip to step 3.

2. A menu will appear, now click on, Run

3. A Window “Run” will appear, now enter “msconfig” (without quotes) and press the enter key or click on OK

6. Check the box “Hide all Microsoft Services” and then click on Disable All

Hide and Disable All

7. Close MSConfig by clicking on OK, and choose to Reboot your device.

Now that all non-Microsoft services are disabled, we are going to try to apply the Windows Updates again, if they fail again, then go to the next step.

Step 3: Resetting the Windows Update Components

In most cases the downloaded data is just corrupted and removing the already downloaded Windows Update data could solve the Windows Update Error 0x80004005 you’ve been receiving. Please do follow these steps very carefully as typo’s could lead to problems.

Open Elevated Command Prompt by following one of two methods:

Press the Windows + X at the same time, then choose Command Prompt (admin)

Press the Windows + W key at the same time and then type ” cmd ” right-clickCommand Prompt and choose Run as Administrator

Enter the following command: “net stop wuauserv” and hit enter.

Enter the following command: “net stop cryptSvc” and hit enter.

Enter the following command: “net stop bits” and hit enter.

Enter the following command: “net stop msiserver” and hit enter.

Enter the following command: “ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old” and hit enter.

Enter the following command: “ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old” and hit enter.

Enter the following command: “net start wuauserv” and hit enter.

Enter the following command: “net start cryptSvc” and hit enter.

Enter the following command: “net start bits” and hit enter.

Enter the following command: “net start msiserver” and hit enter.

Reboot your system.

Then try to run Windows Update again. If Windows Update is still not working, then visit our forums and ask for personalized support.

2014, 2015 & 2016 Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Windows
Yuri specializes in troubleshooting (crash analysis and devices), system resource utilisation and system performance. He is also very interested in Customer Security. Yuri can be found as Windows Community Moderator and Wiki Author on Microsoft Answers and is active on different communities all across the web.

WindowsInstructed has been founded as a Windows solutions website for the most common Windows issues that users are experiencing while using their system. We index many online communities and look for a pattern of problems. When we find a pattern we will ask one of our experts in that expertise to write a Troubleshooting guide for the problem.